Man killed in North Philadelphia "execution-style" shooting in mosque parking lot, police say
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A 43-year-old man was shot multiple times and killed "execution-style" in the parking lot of a North Philly mosque on Tuesday, Chief Inspector Scott Small of the Philadelphia Police Department said.
The shooting happened on the 1500 block of Germantown Avenue in the parking lot of the Al-Aqsa Islamic Society around 5 p.m.
Police said the 43-year-old man was shot multiple times, including at least one time in the head, and pronounced dead at Temple University Hospital at 5:13 p.m., Small said. On Wednesday, police identified the man as Raheem Jefferson of Philadelphia.
At least 17 shots were fired from a large caliber semi-automatic weapon, according to Small.
Police said surveillance videos in the area show the 43-year-old man walking up to the mosque with another man before the shooting.
The alleged shooter, who was in dark clothing, then ran up behind the 43-year-old man and started firing shots, Small said. After striking the 43-year-old man multiple times, Small said the gunman stood over the man and continued to shoot him, though another man the victim was with wasn't hurt by the gunfire.
Small said the shooter fled the scene in a dark colored sedan that possibly has a replacement tire or donut tire on the front passenger side.
Small said the motive is unclear, but the 43-year-old man appears to have been targeted by the shooter.
Tuesday night, the mosque's parking lot was full of shell casings and evidence markers as investigators worked at the scene.
Ashraf Abdelrazek was in the mosque when the shooting happened.
"I didn't see anything until I went outside and I see someone laying on the ground with the blood drained out of them," Abdelrazek said.
Police have spoken to multiple witnesses to the shooting, including the man whom the victim was walking with when he was shot.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro posted on X, formerly Twitter, about the shooting on Tuesday night.
"Violence outside of a house of worship is deeply painful and traumatizing for those simply showing up to worship and practice their faith," Shapiro wrote. "As an investigation into this killing proceeds, I'm praying for Philadelphia's Al-Aqsa Islamic Society community, a place I've been several times, and hoping they find peace in each other and in their faith."
The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations also reacted to the shooting.
"We are shocked and concerned by this tragic incident. Al-Aqsa Islamic Society mosque has a beautiful and dedicated community with a long history at its location in Kensington," Ahmet Tekelioglu, CAIR-Philadelphia's executive director, said in a statement.
"Whether this tragic shooting is related to the gun violence epidemic in our city or another reason, we call on our local leaders and interfaith groups to stand together to offer their support to the Al-Aqsa community," Tekelioglu said. "As the investigation continues, we urge Philadelphia Police and the mayor's office to update the community swiftly and ensure every angle is meticulously explored."